OK you've shopped around the comparison sites, spoken to friends about prepaid travel cards, been burnt using your current account abroad and ended up looking at the ICE Travellers cashcard. Looks good doesn't it however what is the ICE card really like and what are the real costs of using such a card?

Here it is in black and white - the facts and fine print (in large print)

• You must be over 18 years of age to be the main card holder and based in the UK. You can order the ICE Travellers cashcard in Euros, Dollar and Sterling and hold up to 4 additional supplementary cards linked to the main card holder.

• If you are travelling to a country that does not use Sterling, Euros or Dollars as the main currency you should consider using a Sterling card as there is a minimum of one foreign exchange conversion.

• It takes up to 10 working days to receive your PIN and Card (although our average time is 6 working days) so please keep this in mind when applying if you are departing soon. If you are travelling within 10 working days, try our online travel money service www.iceplc.com/currency

• Once you have received your card you need to activate your card before it works. Simply log onto your account and select LINK and ACTIVATE.

• From your initial load you will not be able to top up your Travellers cashcard for the first 28 days, so make sure you load enough currency if you are using the card in this time.

• When applying we will perform an electronic ID verification using your personal details to ensure you qualify for the card. These details are checked against various electronic databases and a positive identification must be returned in accordance with Anti Money Laundering regulations. If we are unable to make a positive identification, we are unable to provide you with a card.

FEE TABLE

• For transactions made in foreign currencies some overseas Merchants and ATMs may offer you conversion from that country's currency to sterling (Direct Currency Conversion or DCC). This may be offered regardless of the currency of your ICE Travellers cashcard, potentially resulting in a double exchange. To avoid this, you should select the transaction to go through in the currency of the country you are in at the time.

• You cannot use the ICE Travellers cashcard for online gaming websites, at casinos or other gambling institutions. When making purchases online you may need to register for MasterCard SecureCode or verified by Visa in order to complete a transaction.

• Should you wish to close your account you simply need to write to us and we will send you a Sterling cheque (equivalent) for any remaining balance.